If Jackie Robinson wedged open MLB’s invisible iron door of integration, Willie Mays kicked it down four seasons later after he was promoted to the Giants.
Willie Mays made No. 24 famous forever. His old team plays at 24 Willie Mays Plaza, the ballpark that features a courtyard lined with 24 palm trees. But here’s another number that will forever be associated with Mays: 17. Mays, promoted to the New York Giants from the minors early in the 1951 season, was the 17th Black player in the major leagues.
He once told of how he controlled the game from center field — positioning the other six fielders before every hitter, and giving signals to the catcher to tell him how to pitch to each batter. One winter, Mays played ball in Puerto Rico. He was in center, Roberto Clemente was in right. When one opponent singled to center field, Mays let the ball roll between his legs, knowing who was backing him up. The runner saw Mays’ “error” and headed for second, only to be cut down by the great Clemente.
Dodgers Negro Leagues Willie Mays Bill Rigney Black Jackie Robinson Leo Durocher Bobby Thomson Alvin Dark Bill Clinton Willie John Shea Scott Ostler Willie Mays Plaza San Francisco America Minneapolis Triple-A. Alameda Puerto Rico 17Th Black Roberto Clemente Triple-A [email protected] Twitter @Scottostler Chronicle
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